authorhannahduggan.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web viewThis leader guide will take you step-by-step through each session with fun tips on how to dig even deeper into God’s Word

DARE GREATLY: LEADER GUIDE

Dare Greatly: A High School Girl’s Bible Study on Thriving in Your Teens by Hannah Duggan

HOW IT WORKS

Dare Greatly has been designed to fit the structure of your study group no matter where you are, what preferences you have as a leader, or how many girls you have.

If you’ve never led a Bible study before, don’t worry. This leader guide will take you step-by-step through each session with fun tips on how to dig even deeper into God’s Word.

If you’re an experienced youth leader and you have a specific vision for your group, feel free to use this guide as a suggestion as you lead your girls for the next eleven weeks through Dare Greatly: A High School Girl’s Bible Study on Thriving in Your Teens.

Study Format: Dare Greatly is a ten-week study with ten weeks of homework included in the book. However, if you’ve chosen to do this study with your group, you will have eleven sessions. Dare Greatly is a session-driven Bible study. This means that the first time your group gets together you will read the first chapter, and assign the first week’s homework. Every week the girls will have five daily devotionals to complete on their own at home. When you meet again on the next week, you will discuss some of the questions they answered in their homework. I’ve included the discussion questions in this leader guide so that you don’t have to flip back and forth through the book selecting your own. After you discuss the homework from week one, you will read chapter two, and so on for the following weeks.

Elusive Week Eleven: You will finish the book in week ten. This leaves week eleven slightly wanting for content since you will have no more to read. However, week eleven has the potential to be the best week you spend with your girls. Over the course of the week ten homework, they will be making practical plans and doing some serious soul searching. Week eleven is reserved for what might be called a “dream-big session.” Over the course of the study, these girls will be learning how they can change the world in their own spheres of influence. Week eleven is the culmination of everything they’ve been studying. It’s also your chance to hear how the Lord’s been leading on this journey. Also, it’s a fantastic time to throw an end-of-study party to celebrate your accomplishments.

Group Size: How big your group is will greatly affect how you format your sessions with the girls. If you have a small group of five to ten girls, then you should have no trouble connecting with each one of them. However, if your group gets much bigger than that, it will be difficult to hear from every girl during the discussions. It will also cause some of them

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to clam up. There is a line where Bible study discussion becomes public speaking, and some girls will not cross that line. If your group is larger, I recommend you find a few mentors. You can still read the chapters all together, and then break your Bible study into groups. Have each mentor lead a discussion group, asking the girls discussion questions. You will want to ensure that each mentor has a leader guide of her own so that she can confidently lead the discussion.

Once again, every study group is different, but we all find a common ground on the Word of God. I am so excited to share this journey with you as you lead your girls a little closer to their Savior, and Lover of Their Souls.



BEFORE IT ALL STARTS

1. Plan your environment. Girls like casual. Somewhere they can tuck their socked feet under them and get comfy. But not too comfy! You don’t want them dozing, especially if you meet at night or in the late afternoon. Even if you just circle up on the floor, it’s good for them to feel like you’re on their level while still being their leader. Obviously, this differs with the size of the group, but if it’s at all possible make your environment fun, relaxed, and casual. This causes the girls to feel more comfortable and allows them to let down their walls.

2. Consider food. What do teen girls respond to? Food. Chocolate. Snacks. If at all possible let there be food. But let them have it either before or after. Because no teacher wants to compete for a kid’s attention against a KitKat. And if you’ve come into contact with a teenager lately you know that she will not just eat the KitKat as loudly as she possibly can while you are trying to impart the Words of Life. She will then proceed to rip the KitKat wrapper into a million pieces, distracting everyone and littering the sanctuary floor. Just don’t go there. Also keep in mind that many girls of high school age haven’t learned sugar limits yet. Monitoring how much sugar you’re pouring into a room full of teens is always a good idea. Again having food isn’t an absolute must, but let’s face it. It’s their love language.

3. Use your resources. Leading a Bible study is a big job. Whether you’re meeting in your church or opening your home, there is a lot required of you as a leader. Dare Greatly has been written with the intent of making your job as a leader that much easier. On my website (www.authorhannahduggan.wordpress.com), you’ll find a page called “Dare Greatly Printables.” You can download additional leader guides there, but you’ll also notice several other documents available to you.

Weekly Memory Verse. If you take a look at Dare Greatly, you’ll see that each chapter begins with one key passage or verse. These verses have been compiled in both Word Document and PDF format. You can download them, print them, and cut out the verse cards each week for your girls to take home. Memorizing God’s Word will take their study up one more level



and cause them to really dive into what God has for them in the chapters.

Word of the Week. At first look, this might seem a little intimidating. Just as each week has a key verse, each week also highlights one Greek or Hebrew word. I don’t expect your girls know lexical Greek or Biblical Hebrew, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t glean from the richness of the original language. These cards will cause them to look at the verses they are reading in a new light. You can have your girls memorize these words, or just hand them out for the girls to hang onto and look at throughout the week. It’s up to you.

Quote of the week. Okay, this one is purely for fun. Each chapter of Dare Greatly was inspired in part by one of my favorite quotes. Girls love a good quote. Just look at how much time they spend on Pinterest. Every week, there is a quote that themes the chapter. You can download all of these from the website as Word Document or PDF and print them out for your girls. They are cute, decorative cards that give the girls something special to take home, and tape to their mirror or pin to their corkboard or take a classy picture of for Instagram.

4. Say hi. This is by no means a must, but I love to hear from groups who are doing this study. I would love to be in prayer for all of you. I’ve had the opportunity in the past to Skype and even visit groups who’ve done my studies. To find out how I can connect with your study group, visit the contact page on my website or write me an email at [email protected].

5. Stand your ground. Youth ministry is a lot of things, but it’s especially intimidating. Some of us didn’t even like teenagers when we were one. And sitting in a group of them still makes us feel small and unpopular. But you have been brought to this place for this purpose. And you might feel unqualified as a leader, but you have been give all that you need for life ad godliness (2 Peter 1:3). You might be teaching girls who are serious about serving the Lord, but you might also find yourself trying to get through to apathetic, unhappy girls who are there because their parents made them come. Don’t let them get to you. You have been called and appointed by God. Don’t waver in what He’s called you to do. Be strong and courageous, fellow laborer. (And if that means giving yourself a pep talk in the



bathroom mirror, then you do it. I won’t tell anyone.) Don’t let the enemy erode your confidence.

6. Center your heart. Many Bible study leaders suggest praying for each of your students by name. I LOVE doing this. When I pray for each of my girls, I’m given fresh insight to the Lord’s love for them. It’s all too easy to allow our agendas cloud what the girls’ Heavenly Father would truly say to them. When I come to Him in prayer, my agenda is slowly rooted from my heart and I am given a glimpse of how He views them. Your girls all have different love languages. Some respond to words, others to gifts, others to games. All of them respond to love. A love that you and I, as teachers, cannot conjure up. We have to be constantly at the throne, begging our Lord for His heart in our ministry. It is such a gift! Those girls might seem distracted, apathetic, and sometimes downright spiteful toward you as their leader, but the love you show them will impact them for the rest of their lives whether they realize it or not. It has been given to you to train these young warriors to be the next generation of conquerors in Christ. If we, as leaders, have a heart to see them become who God intends them to be, they will sense it. All of us can remember that one teacher or mentor in our past who really believed in us. Be that leader. Believe in your girls. Because if you expect them to change the world, they might just take you up on it.

WEEK 1: LEADER GUIDE

Before the Study

1. Make sure each girl has a book.

2. Print and cut out this week’s memory verse Jeremiah 1:7.

3. Print and cut out the Word of the Week and the Quote of the Week.

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1. Welcome the girls. Give them enough time to get there and get settled. Once again, this slush time is a great place to insert snacks.

2. Open in prayer. Hand out their books, let them flip through and get a feel for them.

3. Introduce them to the study. You can read the back of the book as well as the applicable parts of the Introduction.

4. Once they understand where they’re headed for the next eleven weeks, get them talking. Good discussion questions are pivotal to any group study. If you have a large group, this is the time when you’ll split them into smaller discussion groups in the coming weeks, but for this first session, keep them together and get them all talking as a group. Consider this your ice-breaker. In the following weeks you’ll be asking them questions from their homework, but for now here are some good questions to start with:

What is the hardest thing about high school? Do you think God cares what you do with your life

in high school, or is He waiting for you to grow up so He can use you?

What is the difference between surviving in your teens and thriving?

What is the first thing comes to your mind when you think about “daring great things for God”?

What are the hardest challenges you face as a Christian teen?

Of the bullet points in the introduction, which one do you want to know most?

What are you hoping to learn from this study?

It’s up to you as a leader whether you let them answer at their own pace, or go around the room. It depends on the size of your group, the time you have, and the comfort level of your girls. Some might have rather wordy answers, while others might puke if you ask them to speak in front of a group. It’s your call as their leader.



5. Read the quote of the week: “Faith can move mountains, but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.” –UnkownDiscuss what this quote it means and what it has to do with our walk of faith.

6. Read Chapter 1. You can read it to them or have them take turns reading it.

7. Explain the week’s homework and be sure they understand what they have to do.

8. Assign this week’s memory verse: Jeremiah 1:7 (Offer some sort of motivation for memorizing the verse. Candy or some sort of prize.)

9. Hand out the Word of the Week Cards and the Quote Cards and explain their purpose, depending upon whether or not you want them to memorize the cards or just use them as a study supplement.

10. Take prayer requests. Pray for them and for the week ahead.

11. At this point you can dismiss class for free time or supplement with anything else your group is working on.

WEEK TWO: LEADER GUIDE

Before the Study



1. Look over Chapter 1 homework to remind yourself what the girls have been working on this week.

2. Print out this week’s memory verse assignment: Lamentations 3:26


During the Study

1. Open in prayer.

2. Find out how their homework went. Get a feel for how much homework your group is ready for.

3. Listen to memory verses with prizes for those who’ve memorize Jeremiah 1:7.

4. Discuss homework. If they’re comfortable, let the girls read the verses from each day aloud. Then ask them the discussion questions they will have answered in their homework.

Day 1: Read Jeremiah 1:4-10

a. Has God ever asked you to do something that sounded crazy? What was it?

b. Your first dare was to have a daily devotion time. How did it go? What things stop you from having a consistent devotion time? Did you see a change in your daily life when you did have it?

Day 2: Read Philippians 4:4-7

a. When is it hardest to obey these commands?b. Of the four commands in this passage, which one is the hardest for

you to obey?

Day 3: Read Deuteronomy 1:28-33

a. Describe a time when the Lord fought for you or carried you through something.

b. Describe a time when the Lord protected you from something you couldn’t see, provided for you, or showed you His mighty power.



Day 4: Read Hebrews 4:1, 11-13

a. How is the rest God promised us different from the rest He promised Israel? How is it the same?

b. Why do you think that rest is such a big deal to God?

Day 5: Read John 10:9-11

a. What has the enemy tried to steal from you? What has he tried to kill in your life? How has he tried to destroy you?

b. Why didn’t he succeed?

5. Read the Quote of the Week: “Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing…It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling.” –C.S. LewisDiscuss what this means, and how you’ve seen it to be true.

6. Read Chapter 2 together.

7. Pass out Word of the Week and Quote of the Week cards.

8. Take Prayer Requests.

9. Pray together.

10. Dismiss, or move on to other activities.





WEEK THREE: LEADER GUIDE

Before the Study

1. Look over Chapter 2 homework to remind yourself what the girls have been working on this week.

2. Print out this week’s memory verse assignment: 1 John 4:18


During the Study

1. Open in prayer.

2. Find out how their homework went, and listen to memory verses with prizes for those who’ve memorize Lamentations 3:26.

3. Discuss homework. If they’re comfortable, let the girls read the verses from each day aloud. Then ask them the discussion questions they will have answered in their homework.

Day 1: Read Lamentations 3:22-27

a. Describe a time when God showed you that He was all you needed.b. Share your rewritten version of this passage.


a. Have you ever been mocked for a moment of worship or sacrifice? Was it still worth it? Explain.

b. You were supposed to take a special time of worship with just you and the Lord. How did it go? Did the Lord show you anything?

Day 3: Read 1 Peter 5:5-11

a. Who is your accountability? Do they know it?



b. In your life, when has the Lord perfected you, established you, strengthened you, and settled you?

Day 4: Read Hebrews 13:5-6

a. What are three practical ways we can fight to be content?b. In what areas do you find yourself growing discontent?


a. How has God’s love sustained you in this season of your life?b. Your dare this week was to write your list of musts and your list of

hopes. How did it go? What’s on your list?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” –Winston ChurchillDiscuss what this means.

5. Read Chapter 3 together.



8. Pray together.






WEEK FOUR: LEADER GUIDE

Before the Study1. Look over Chapter 3 homework.

2. Print out Week Four Memory verse. Proverbs 31:29-30

3. Print out Word of the Week and Quote of the Week cards.

During the Study1. Open in prayer.

2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with prizes for those who’ve memorized 1 John 4:18.

3. Discuss homework. Let the girls read the verses from each day aloud. Then ask them the discussion questions they will have answered in their homework.

Day 1: Read Psalm 23:1-2

a. What material needs and decisions are stressing you out?b. How did handing those things over to the Lord change your

perspective on them?

Day 2: Read Psalm 23:3

a. Have you ever made a decision based on what other people think of you? Explain.

b. Has God ever called you to do something that went against the opinions of others? What happened?


a. How has God brought you through the valleys in your life?



b. Have you ever felt His correction? What was it like?


a. What is overwhelming you right now?b. What smaller things do you need to let go of in order to let your cup

run over?


a. What does it mean when it says that goodness and mercy will follow us?

b. What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.” –Audrey HepburnDiscuss what this means.

5. Read Chapter 4

6. Assign and hand out memory verse Proverbs 31:29-30.


8. Pray together.





WEEK FIVE: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print and cut out Week Five Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 9:24

4. Print and cut out Word of the Week and Quote of the Week cards.


2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with prizes for those who’ve memorized Proverbs 31:29-30.


Day 1: Read Proverbs 31:10-13

a. What does it mean to do good to your husband all the days of your life?

b. Are you a person who willingly works with her hands? If so, how? If not, what could you do to become one?


a. What did you learn about wisdom in your homework?b. Your dare this week was to go through your closet, looking for things

that exemplify strength and honor. How did it go? What did the Lord show you?

Day 3: Read Colossians 3:12-14



a. Of the different qualities listed here, which one is the hardest for you to put on? Why?

b. When are you most likely to forget who you are in Christ?

Day 4: Read Galatians 5:13-14

a. Have you ever seen freedom in Christ used in a way that caused others to stumble?

b. What do you think loving one another has to do with modesty?


a. What kind of woman will be praised? Why?b. What choices have you made that don’t bring you temporary pleasure,

but will help you in the long run?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “With courage I will meet this challenge, as You would have me do, but keep me humble and remind me that my strength comes from knowing You. And when all eyes are on me, at the end of this big game, may I turn their eyes to You, Lord, to the glory of Your Name.” –The Athlete’s PrayerDiscuss.

5. Read Chapter 5

6. Assign and hand out memory verse: 1 Corinthians 9:24


8. Pray together.





WEEK SIX: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print out Week Six Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3. Print and cut out Word of the Week and Quote of the Week.


2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with prizes for those who’ve memorized 1 Corinthians 9:24.


Day 1: Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

a. In your mind, what is the hardest part of the Race of Faith?b. How can we run with certainty? How do we know that the prize we’re

striving for is real?

Day 2: Read Hebrews 11:30-35

a. Which hero of the faith did you study? What did you learn about them that you didn’t know? Why do you think they are listed in Hebrews 11?

b. Have you ever seen faith result in a miraculous circumstance? Explain.

Day 3: Read Hebrews 12:1



a. If you had to pinpoint where you are on your Race of Faith, where would you be?

b. Why did you pick that point in the race?

Day 4: Read Hebrews 12:2

a. What struggles are you experiencing in your race right now? b. How can Jesus’ example help you in your specific circumstances?

.Day 5: Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

a. What visible areas of your life distract you from the eternal things?b. If you had to look at your life, what areas would you say are eternal,

and what areas are temporary?

4. Read Quote of the Week: “It is not the critic that counts…the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” –President Theodore Roosevelt.Discuss.

5. Read Chapter 6.

6. Assign and hand out memory verse 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.


8. Pray together.







WEEK SEVEN: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print and cut out Week Seven Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17



2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with rewards for those who’ve memorized 2 Corinthians 10:3-5



a. What earthly strongholds do you tend to run to when life gets hard?b. Which new spiritual discipline did you take on this week? How did it

go? What did you learn?

Day 2: Read 2 Corinthians 10:5

a. You were supposed to write down the Truth of God that combats the lies of the enemy in your own life. What truth did you need to hear the most?

b. What did you do this week to practice taking your thought captive? Did it help?

Day 3: Read Ephesians 6:12-15

a. What “flesh and blood” things are you most tempted to fight against?



b. Share a time when you had to stand firm for the Lord against the enemy.


a. How good are you with your sword?b. In your sword practice, you were told to pick one difficult question

listed in Day 4 and answer it with Scripture. What did you pick, and how did you answer it?

Day 5: Read Romans 8:31-39

a. In verses 38 and 39 Paul makes a list of things that cannot separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. Which one is the hardest for you to believe? Why?

b. How would your life look different if you believed you were more than a conqueror?

4. Read Quote of the Week: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing…but presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably…throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace.” C.S. Lewis

5. Read Chapter 7

6. Assign and hand out memory verse 2 Corinthians 5:17.


8. Pray together.







WEEK EIGHT: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print out Week Eight Memory verse: Acts 1:8



2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with rewards for those who’ve memorized 2 Corinthians 5:17.


Day 1: Read Romans 12:1-2

a. In your own words, what does the Greek word parakleo mean?b. Your challenge this week was to either give something up or take on

something hard that your flesh wouldn’t like. What did you decide to do, and how did it go?

Day 2: Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

a. How has Jesus transformed your life?b. Share your eulogies to your sin natures.


a. What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?b. The enemy tries to trap all of us, but a trap needs bait. For some of us

it might be perfectionism and other people’s opinions. For others it



might be a desire we can’t let go of. What does the enemy use to bait you?


a. Which fruit of the Spirit are you working to perfect right now? Why?b. You were told to come up with ideas on how to walk in the Spirit in

specific situations. What did you plan, and how did it go?

Day 5: Read Philippians 1:6

a. How has the Lord changed you through the good work He started in you?

b. What would you like to see Him change next?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” –Mark Twain

5. Read Chapter 8.

6. Assign and hand out memory verse: Acts 1:8


8. Pray together.





WEEK NINE: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print and cut out Week Nine Memory verse: Psalm 37:1-3



2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with rewards for those who’ve memorized Acts 1:8.


Day 1: Read Acts 26:12-18

a. What kind of testimony do you have? Were you saved as a little kid, or did the Lord get a hold of your heart more recently?

b. Imagine that you are sharing with an unsaved friend and they ask you, “Why do you believe in God?” They’re not asking for scientific evidence or a theological explanation. They want to hear your story. What would you tell them?

Day 2: Read Acts 1:4-8

a. Has God ever called you to witness to someone outside of your comfort zone? What happened?

b. What unsaved friend or family member did the Lord put on your heart o pray for?




a. Which statement did you circle in Day 3? What do you think that says about your spiritual gift?

b. If God told you that you could go anywhere and do anything for His glory, what would you do?


a. Which category from Day 4 would you say you fall into most often?b. What did the Lord show you about your spiritual gift?

Day 5: Read Luke 10:2-3

a. Is there an area of the world you feel called to pray for?b. Where is God calling you to go today? How can you be a laborer in His

field right where you’re at?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something some time in your life.” –Winston Churchill

5. Read Chapter 9.

6. Assign and hand out memory verse: Psalm 37:1-3


8. Pray together.





WEEK TEN: LEADER GUIDE


2. Print out Week Ten Memory verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13



2. Find out how the week’s homework went and listen to memory verses with rewards for those who’ve memorized Psalm 37:1-3.



a. Of all five commands listed in verses 3 and 4, which one do you find the hardest to obey?

b. What practical ways did the Lord show you to obey the commands from this passage?

Day 2: Read 1 Samuel 17:20-27

a. Have you ever seen something taking place in today’s culture that you knew was wrong, but nothing was being done about it? Explain.

b. What cultural issues or generational “giants” would you like to take down in your lifetime? How could you do it?




a. Without mentioning names, can you share a time when you were criticized by your peers?

b. Who did you make an effort to encourage this week, and how did it go?


a. Again, without mentioning names, when was the last time someone told you that you were too young to do something, and how did you respond?

b. How have you seen God prove His power through you?


a. How has Satan lied to you?b. What insights or confidence did you gain from writing your response

to the devil’s trash talk?

4. Read the Quote of the Week: “There is a freedom waiting for you, on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” –e.h.

5. Read Chapter 10.

6. Assign and hand out memory verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13


8. Pray together.







WEEK ELEVEN: LEADER GUIDE

1. This is the week to do something really laid back and fun with your girls. I highly recommend taking them out or throwing a party to celebrate. You made it! No more homework. No more print outs. Have fun with your girls this time. However, the questions the girls have been answering throughout the study lead up to the questions they answered this week. The purpose of week eleven is for them to answer the following discussion questions:


a. What are practical ways we can delight ourselves in the Lord?b. Do you know what you’d like to do with your life? If so, what?

Day 2: Read Luke 5:1-11

a. Has the Lord ever revealed Himself to you in a practical, hands-on way? What happened?

b. When did you come face to face with Jesus and realize Who you were dealing with?


a. Have you ever had a personal, “fig tree” moment with God when it was just the two of you? Explain.

b. How did your time of prayer and worship go? Did the Lord reveal anything to you?

Day 4: Read Micah 6:6-8

a. What three things does the Lord require of us?b. What are you most afraid God will call you to do?

Day 5: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-12

a. In your opinion, what is the scariest thing about becoming an adult?b. What would you say has impacted you the most in this study?

2. Now have a blast with your girls. Seriousness is not a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is. Enter into that joy tonight as you celebrate your accomplishment of finishing this study and seeing it all the way through to the end. It has been a lovely journey. Thank you for sharing it with me.



I’d love to hear feedback from you or your girls. Let me celebrate with you! Send me an email at [email protected].


Documents

authorhannahduggan.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web viewThis leader guide will take you step-by-step through each session with fun tips on how to dig even deeper into God’s Word